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Suspected gunmen have kidnapped 14 students of an Islamic school in Tungan-Bako village, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
The students were reportedly working on their teacher’s farm on Saturday, helping him harvest maize, when the gunmen stormed the area and took them away alongside their teacher.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Niger State, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the abduction on Monday, dismissing reports that 50 students had been taken.
Abiodun said preliminary information indicated that about 14 students from an Islamiya school were on the farm with their teacher when the attackers struck at approximately 12:30 pm on October 31.
He added that joint security teams had begun rescue operations to locate the victims and secure their release, while further updates would be provided as the operation progressed.
Abiodun said, “On 31/10/2026 at about 12.30 pm, suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village via Rafi LGA and abducted some persons working on the farm.
“The report further indicated that the abducted victims were about 14 students of an Islamiya helping their Mallam to harvest maize on the farm before the incident.
“However, joint security rescue efforts are ongoing; further developments will be communicated.”
Meanwhile, Jonathan Vatsa, spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, criticised Governor Mohammed Bago over the worsening security situation in Niger State.
Vatsa accused the governor of prioritising the 2027 governorship election over efforts to protect residents from attacks.
He also claimed that security agencies in the state lacked operational vehicles and other essential equipment needed to respond effectively to insecurity.
According to him, the state government had largely responded to attacks with statements condemning incidents and expressing condolences to affected families, without taking sufficient action to address the problem.
“The security agencies in the state lack operational vehicles and other necessary equipment to confront the situation.
“The government is only there to issue statements either condemning every attack or condole with the people over the death of their loved ones by gunmen without any cogent step to address the situation,” Vatsa said.
In a separate incident on Friday, suspected kidnappers abducted six people travelling with the corpse of a woman to Okpoga, the headquarters of Okpokwu Local Government Area in Benue State.
The mourners had reportedly travelled from Kano to bury the deceased when gunmen intercepted their vehicle along the Adoka Road.
The attackers took all six occupants and left the woman’s corpse on the road.
